In a move to bolster its military capabilities in Europe, Canada is investing $35.8 million to supply its troops in Latvia with 90 state-of-the-art Light Tactical Vehicles (LTVs). This initiative, spearheaded by the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, aligns with Canada’s commitment to NATO’s assurance and deterrence strategies under Operation REASSURANCE.
“Canada’s commitment to Latvia’s security is steadfast. Through this procurement and other key investments, Canada is doing its part to help scale up the multinational NATO Battle Group in Latvia to a full-size brigade – strengthening our defensive and deterrent posture on the Alliance’s eastern flank. We will always do what it takes to provide Canadian Armed Forces members with the tools that they require to accomplish their increasingly vital missions,” expressed the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence.
Canada’s military presence in Europe is expanding, with over 2,200 soldiers expected to be deployed in Latvia by 2026. As the Framework Nation for NATO’s Multinational Battle Group Latvia, transitioning to NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia, this new fleet of LTVs will significantly enhance the operational effectiveness of Canadian forces. These vehicles are designed to navigate challenging terrains and isolated areas inaccessible to larger military vehicles, while also reducing the physical burden on soldiers by transporting combat equipment.
“The procurement of the Light Tactical Vehicle for members of our Armed Forces deployed in Latvia is an example of our commitment to supporting the safety and modernization of our military, enabling it to better operate in a more complex and rapidly changing environment,” said the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Public Services and Procurement.
The procurement of these vehicles is made possible through a contract with GM Defense Canada Company, based in Oshawa, Ontario. The contract includes 36 cargo and 54 personnel variants of the LTV. The personnel variant can accommodate up to nine soldiers, while the cargo variant supports two to four soldiers and additional cargo. This combination allows for the transportation of essential supplies, ensuring Canadian troops can operate self-sufficiently for up to 72 hours.
“This contract award demonstrate Canada’s steadfast commitment to bolstering our armed forces’ capabilities in Latvia. Our government is dedicated to equipping the Canadian Armed Forces with the equipment it needs to effectively carry out its mission, ensuring both immediate operational readiness and long-term economic benefits for Canadians. Through the application of Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy, this procurement will not only bolster Canadian innovation in our world class defence industry but also create high-value jobs and foster economic growth across the country,” explained the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.
The contract also encompasses integrated logistics support, spare parts for up to two years, and an option to acquire an additional 18 LTVs. By utilizing an off-the-shelf design, the vehicles are expected to be delivered promptly, with the first five units arriving in Canada later this month for training purposes. The Canadian Army is scheduled to commence initial training in late August 2024, with the full fleet expected to be operational in Latvia by early October 2024.
“The LTV contract is an important step toward revitalizing the Canadian Army (CA)’s Light Forces. It will enhance our range and response times both at home and abroad. Our Light Forces can be called to deploy on very short notice in any type of environment and the Army has been seeking that type of platform in larger numbers for many years. Once received, we intend to deploy most of these vehicles to Latvia in the fall. By being positioned on the eastern border of the Alliance, these platforms will enable the quick projection of a light infantry battle group to Latvia to reinforce the Forward Land Forces (FLF) Brigade led by Canada. Through this investment, the CA is not only improving its operational readiness, but is also enhancing its deterrence posture on the eastern flank of NATO,” said Lieutenant-General Michael Wright, Commander Canadian Army.
This contract marks the initial phase of the Light Forces Enhancement (LFE) Project, which aims to provide the Canadian Armed Forces’ Light Forces with a new off-road vehicle capability optimized for rapid deployment and diverse terrains. The project’s second phase will introduce up to 222 Tactical Mobility Platforms and 23 light trailers to the Canadian Regular and Reserve Forces. Each phase will undergo a separate competitive bidding process, potentially resulting in different vehicle acquisitions.
GM Defense Canada is tasked with delivering both the nine-passenger LTVs and a utility variant, leveraging a design currently utilized by the U.S. Army. These vehicles, based on the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 architecture, feature a high proportion of Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) components, enhancing their off-road capabilities. Weighing under 5000 pounds, these agile vehicles are easily transportable by air and maintainable through GM’s global supply chain.
With active and passive safety features, these LTVs meet the Canadian Armed Forces’ performance and safety standards, ensuring that Canadian soldiers can operate with increased speed, range, and security across complex terrains. This investment not only strengthens Canada’s military readiness but also underscores its commitment to supporting NATO allies in Latvia and beyond.